Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1406 Sanmao in the interweaving of real-life and historical scenes

"Ronald, the White House has released the latest news..." Michelle Cannold called Ronald's home. After many votes, vetoes, votes again, and vetoes again, the latest proposal for most-favored-nation treatment for China from both houses was finally submitted to the White House.

"My dear Americans, yesterday, the people won a great victory as a majority in the House of Representatives supported me in adopting our plan to revitalize our economic future.

Today, Members of Congress joined me in announcing a new chapter in economic policy toward China.

China plays an important role in our country's foreign policy. It is the world's most populous country, the fastest growing major economy, and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

China’s future will largely shape Asia’s future, affecting our security and trade relationships in the Pacific, as well as a host of global issues, from environmental protection to arms proliferation.

In short: our relationship with China is extremely important..."

"This SOB has taken advantage of both sides..."

President William did not make a televised speech, but instead released this news, which the business community across the country had been eagerly awaiting, through the White House Press Office.

After several repetitions, President William's intention this time is to stop the White House and the two houses from undermining each other, with one side agreeing to most-favored-nation treatment and the other side re-legislating to oppose it, or vice versa. In the future, when dealing with trade issues with China, the White House and the two houses must act in unison.

So William thought of a way to have the best of both worlds, preparing to grant China most-favored-nation treatment, but linking trade issues with human rights issues. The signed most-favored-nation treatment agreement must be reviewed by the Senate and the House of Representatives every year. If it is not passed, it will not be renewed.

This method is a typical approach that bears the imprint of William. If China wants most-favored-nation treatment, then yes, but there are opponents in Congress, so you can get it done through lobbying outside the Congress.

If members of parliament want to win votes, no matter whether your voters support or oppose most-favored-nation treatment for China, you can figure it out on your own and sell your votes. Whether you agree or oppose, you can still make a profit.

As a result, Warner Bros.' cinema business in Guangzhou came to a standstill. Except for the first cinema that was allowed to be built, all subsequent cooperation was "stagnant". Whether it was joint ventures, sole proprietorships, cinema chain management, or distribution and production business, all were stopped.

Warner Bros. Hong Kong Branch, which had already invested some cooperative capital, was suddenly caught in a dilemma. If it withdrew its investment, it would become the party that lost its credibility. If it continued to invest, it didn't know what impact it would face.

Moreover, continuing the cooperation is not only a dilemma. If the most-favored-nation treatment is not approved, this kind of cooperation will also be attacked by domestic congressmen. As for offering the latest technology (including distribution technology and projection technology) so friendly to the door, is there any other intention?
After weighing the pros and cons, they had no choice but to operate only the cinema that had already started operations, and put all others on hold.

……

"Director Luo, I am really happy to see you again this time. Confucius once said, 'It is a great pleasure to have friends coming from afar.'"

At the same time, Ronald, who went to Xujiahui to discuss technical cooperation on behalf of Daydream, was warmly welcomed by officials.

At a time when trade relations between the two countries are deteriorating, the personal visit of such an old friend to Shanghai is definitely a timely help.

"Hahaha, Confucius also said that even though others don't know my purpose, I won't get angry. That's what a gentleman does. Only the old friends here know that my main purpose is to promote mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, not just to make money."

"That's, that's..."

Chinese officials were very happy about Ronald's visit. President William's order still needed to be voted on by members of both houses of Congress. Now many opposing forces wanted to ruin this matter.

Being able to come to China to discuss in-depth cooperation despite this adverse trend, this kind of achievement will be reviewed by senior leaders. Compared with the cooperation between Guangzhou and Warner, which was a big deal but little success, Ronald was just the right person to come.

In addition to attending the official opening ceremony of "Panda Adventure", Ronald also brought some "gifts". Because the film company wants to promote the important task of "building a modern film projection system", introducing advanced Hollywood projection and distribution equipment has become a top priority.

China could not afford to use equipment that was too advanced, and it would also attract scrutiny from the American Congress. So Ronald sold some outdated equipment and technology from the early 1980s to Shanghai at a very cheap price, and built new ones while also making technological improvements.

China is different from all other Asian countries in that it has its own projection technology. For example, the wide screen and stereo technology in China were developed by technicians who went abroad in the early days, referring to Hong Kong and Japan, which had Hollywood technical standards.

However, with the introduction of international films and advanced filming equipment, the incompatibility problem has become increasingly serious. This time Ronald also introduced some Hollywood standard stereo and widescreen standards.

Due to the lack of funds for technical transformation, Ronald actually sent some second-hand equipment from Hollywood cinemas. With careful maintenance and accompanying experienced technicians, it can be guaranteed to become the most advanced projection theater in the country.

Xujiahui Film Studio also has a rare happy event this year. China's first international A-level film festival with a competition unit will be held here. This is also the first time that Sanghai has become the center of Chinese film after many years.

This film festival, which has the highest award called the "Golden Goblet Award", is a new attempt at the film festival system after many years. There are many entries and screenings, and many foreign films are seeking distribution. Without multiple screening equipment that meets international standards, it is impossible to ensure normal operation.

To this end, in addition to the newly built multi-hall cinema "Cinema City" at the Xujiahui Film Studio, many old cinemas built before the 1940s have also been helped by Daydream to undergo technical upgrades and renovations, so that all veteran comrades in the film industry have the opportunity to see the latest international films again.

In the eyes of Hollywood, this was nothing more than an unprofitable export of second-hand and outdated equipment. In the eyes of the Chinese government, this was a timely help, which prevented any screening accidents from happening at the first film festival.

To this end, Ronald brought Xiao Yan back and let him lead a team. He recruited some young people and familiarized them with the Hollywood standard screening management system.

……

After dealing with his boss, Ronald finally found time to chat with his old friends. Including Director Huang, Director Xie, and many familiar friends from the film studio, all came to have dinner with Ronald. There were 20 people squeezed into the big round table, and many young actors and directors had to stand in the back to listen.

There are very few Hollywood directors who can treat Chinese filmmakers as friends. There is also some gossip that Director Luo is so good to China because his ancestors are Chinese, which caused the American Congress to investigate.

"Director Luo, how come this new copy of the movie you brought is so clear?"

After dinner, everyone continued to drink tea and talk. They were very interested in the Hollywood movie "A Few Good Men" that Ronald had previously treated them to in the first renovated cinema screening room.

"This is Hollywood's standard equipment. The reason for setting standards is to ensure that no matter where you are, as long as you use standard equipment and personnel trained in the same standards, the screening effect will be the same.

The effects won't be different depending on the level of the printer or the projectionist. This is a requirement of our film industry. If the focus is blurred and the box office is not good, the capitalists will fire the person..."

"Director Luo, why is the sound effect so good? It sounds better than our own stereo."

"This is actually the level of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now we have a new sound format, which uses a separate center speaker to play the human voice dialogue behind the screen. In this way, the dialogue in the courtroom drama is really immersive...

It’s a pity that I don’t have the opportunity to use this format of copy this time, but there will always be the latest equipment appearing in Shanghai in the future, and I look forward to entertaining you again then…”

"Director Luo, why are these subtitles not on the film, but coming from this machine below? Is it Xiaoyan who is putting them in the back?"

"That's a good question. Are you the director?"

The person Ronald specifically asked about was a young director from Xujiahui Film Studio. He chuckled and said that he was just fascinated by new technology.

"Today's European film festivals generally no longer require subtitles to be printed on film copies due to cost control. Instead, they use this subtitle machine. When the time comes, one copy can be shown across Europe, and all that needs to be done is to change the subtitles."

"Oh, thank you." The young director sat down with satisfaction. Now there are many young directors in Xujiahui Film Studio who are seeking filming funds in Hong Kong, and strive to participate in European film festivals like Yimou.

"What's your name?" Ronald glanced at him. This was the first time he had come to China and asked him about technical details rather than film art. It seemed that young people were more receptive to new things.

"My last name is Zhang..." One day, the slightly bald director was very happy that he was remembered by Director Luo.

In addition to "A Few Good Men", Ronald also got copies of some popular movies from this year's Oscars to test the waters here.

In the past two days, many people in the film studio have watched the latest Hollywood movies without dubbing, only subtitles, including "Scent of a Woman" and "Unforgiven". In addition to Hollywood narrative masters like Director Xie, many young employees also watched them with great pleasure. Unlike Director Xie and Director Huang, they watched them from the perspective of practitioners, purely as audiences, and were amazed by them.

In order to thank Director Ronald, the film studio also prepared to screen a movie they had shot to entertain Ronald.

The studio leaders were a little anxious. This time Ronald's favor was too big, and the movie he brought was well received by everyone in the studio.

But for the time being, Shanghai Film Studio had no good movies to show this Hollywood star. Because of the relationship between Huang's "Hi, Frank" and the newly launched "Panda Adventure", they hoped that another project would be picked up by Ronald and made into a Sino-US co-production and internationally distributed.

However, Director Huang has been mainly shooting TV series in the past two years. After Fortress Besieged, he is preparing a TV series about children coming to Shanghai.

Director Xie is still strong as ever. He is currently preparing a novel adaptation of "The Old Man and the Dog". For the time being, there is no suitable new movie for Ronald to watch.

Finally, Director Huang said that Director Xiao Luo seemed to like Director Zhang very much, and he talked a lot about technology with him during the symposium...

"Okay, let him go..." The factory leader slapped his thigh. This Xiao Zhang solved the urgent problem quietly. The work adapted from the famous cartoonist would definitely catch Director Luo's eye.

"Director Xie, if there is a chance to make a movie in Hollywood, I will get the investment..." Ronald likes Director Xie very much. He may be the Chinese director with the most Hollywood narrative style. His camera language may be old-fashioned, but the structure is very compatible with Ronald.

"Is it a deal?" Director Xie was very happy. There was no big money for filming movies in China right now. If he wanted to make the big movie he had in mind, he had to have an international tycoon like this to invest.

As he was talking, the lights in the theater dimmed and a factory logo appeared on the screen. This is the standard projection method in Hollywood. The lights are gradually turned off, and there are standard regulations on the time to start the projection, striving to give the audience the best experience.

"This film is not fictional at all. We would be honored if there are any similarities..." After the factory logo, a statement appeared.

"Hmm?" Ronald, who understood what was going on, murmured in his heart.

Suddenly, black-and-white images with old documentary quality appeared on the screen, with planes dropping bombs, foreign patrols on the Bund, and various ancient images of the time.

"A documentary?" Ronald thought it was a bit strange.

Then, the movie remained in black and white. A child with three hairs on his head was chased by a bad policeman. The rhythm of the action was as fast as the original silent film. The child ran away and the policeman chased him. Both of them were stuck on the asphalt road that had not yet dried.

A subtitle of dialogue is inserted in the middle of the picture editing, accompanied by fun music, which is a very pure silent film technique.

"Is this a pseudo-documentary? Or a pseudo-silent film?" Ronald picked up the tea and took a sip. He didn't expect that there was such a pioneering director in the Xujiahui Film Studio.

Then the picture turned into color, and the actors who played the patrolman and Sanmao's child were still there, but the rhythm became normal, the characters could speak, and it turned back to the normal rhythm of a color fast-screen movie with sound.

In the middle, the film returns to black and white silent film images in many places. Ronald also noticed that many places are documentary images of the year and the newly shot images are seamlessly combined. The director's creativity is very interesting.

Finally, Sun Feihu, who plays the leader, delivers a victory speech under a light with a "V" representing victory in the background. The same "V" appears in the cemetery of the dead soldiers. Sanmao's child is here to remember his dead comrades.

The last real-life shot in the movie is when Sanmao looks back with a sad face. Then it cuts to the comic scene, where Sanmao's comic image sheds tears on the screen...

Ronald also felt touched. The creative integration of real-life shots and historical shots really allowed people to immerse themselves in the historical emotions. However, due to technical and budgetary limitations, the director's performance was restricted.

"Is this directed by Director Zhang? Can you help me ask if he wants this movie to be released in America?"